US President Donald Trump delivered a primetime address accusing China of interfering in the 2020 election and alleging 'shocking vulnerabilities' in American voting systems. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
Speaking from the White House on Thursday, Trump repeated unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud and foreign meddling. He said he had declassified hundreds of intelligence files supporting his claims that Beijing tried to sway the election in Biden's favour.
The US intelligence community previously concluded China did not interfere in the 2020 election. Trump accused China of the 'illicit acquisition' of 220 million voter files including personal information. He said voter data in 18 states was 'bought, stolen or hacked by China'.
Trump did not present evidence that China used the information to alter voting systems or influence outcomes. In response, the Chinese Embassy stated Beijing 'has never and will never interfere in the presidential elections'.
Democrats accused Trump of attempting to sow doubts about the security of the upcoming November midterms. Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer posted: 'In America, voters choose their leaders, not the other way around.'
Trump's comments contradict a 2021 US National Intelligence Council report which had 'high confidence' that China did not interfere. Trump also alleged that US voting machines are 'extremely exposed' to interference by foreign adversaries.
He alleged a Michigan investigation found a voter registration fraud scheme by a Democratic-affiliated group, but was constrained by the FBI. Trump said the Department of Homeland Security identified 278,000 non-citizens registered to vote, but did not provide evidence they voted.
At the end of his speech, Trump called for passing the SAVE America Act, which bans most mail voting and requires proof of citizenship. The legislation has been stalled in the Senate for months. Former Vice-President Kamala Harris said Trump wants to undermine voter confidence.